Rifle Back at No. 1

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Following a three-week stay at No. 2, the West Virginia University rifle team has reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in today’s Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) Poll.

The Mountaineers’ (9-0, 4-0 GARC) ranking is based on their team average of 4716.0. Team averages are derived from a squad’s top three scores shot at three different venues.

“We feel confident heading into winter break,” says Mountaineer coach Jon Hammond. “We had a good semester and we shot some high scores, so we expected to reclaim the top ranking.

“Our average shouldn’t change much next semester, so we’re hoping to maintain the high standard we have set. Ultimately, our goal is to keep improving and to continue to shoot high scores.”

TCU dropped to No. 2, while Kentucky held steady at No. 3. WVU, along with the Horned Frogs and the Wildcats, have combined to win the last four NCAA titles, with TCU claiming its second championship in three seasons in 2012.

Alaska-Fairbanks is ranked No. 4, Jacksonville State is No. 6, Army is No. 6 and Nebraska is No. 7. Murray State, Air Force and Memphis round out the top 10.

The Mountaineers will return to the WVU Rifle Range on Saturday, Jan. 19, for a shoulder-to-shoulder match with Nebraska.